After BJD, splinter group quits NDA

The breakaway group of four MPs of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which split yesterday and was christened Orissa Jana Shakti (OJS), announced its arrival in the political arena here today. Its first act was to quit the NDA, of which BJD is a member, but it is keeping all its options open for future coalitions. ‘‘Having quit BJD, we are not part of NDA, but our ties with NDA will be examined afresh,’’ said Prasanna Patsani, who was elected leader of OJS. ‘‘We will, however, form a broad coalition platform like the NDA, in the state, and invite anyone who wants to join us to fight for Orissa.’’

The Jana Shakti has one aim — to launch a vigorous campaign to oust CM Naveen Patnaik and usher in good governance and urgently required development projects. The other three members are Prabhat Samantray, Kumudini Patnaik and Jagannath Mallick. The two arch rivals of Naveen Patnaik, Rajya Sabha member and former Union Minister Dilip Ray and Bijay Mahapatra, are now members of the OJS. ‘‘The steering committee of OJS will meet on May 11 in Bhubaneshwar to take a decision whether we should be part of the BJP-led NDA,’’ said Patsani, ‘‘but our main concern would be safeguarding the interests of Orissa,’’ he reiterated.